An Orange Cherry Blossom — Yokosuka MXY7-D1 Ohka 櫻花

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force has a rare example of an Ohka trainer — one meant to be used more than a single time. As we know, the Ohka was a manned, rocket powered flying bomb (1200kg/2600 pound) flown on Tokko 独鈷 (Special Attack) missions, otherwise known as Kamikaze 神風 missions. Each Ohka was carried to the target by a mother ship (a Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” bomber) in WW II. Upon nearing the target (37km/23 miles) the Ohka was released to glide to its target at high speed and, when near, the pilot would fire the three booster rockets accelerating the airplane to 600 mph speeds (~960kph) to get through the antiaircraft artillery umbrella quicker than the fire could be adjusted.

Several types of Ohkas were developed and the design evolved through WW II. The single manned Ohka, a Campini jet powered version for increased range (see future post), a two seated version to be used as a trainer for catapult launches (envisioned for defending the Japanese mainland against the inevitable Allied invasion) and this trainer version which is located in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

The Yokosuka MXY7-D1 Ohka 櫻花 at the National Museum of the USAF — photo by Joseph May

This Ohka is orange, Japanese training aircraft of the time were painted in orange and did not carry a warhead. Water ballast was carried in place of the warhead and other changes were the addition of landing skids as well as flaps to lower landing speeds. The ballast was discharged prior to landing but the Ohka still landed at a high speed, as high as 130 mph (208kph).

Close up view of the cockpit canopy — photo by Joseph May

Detail of the MXY7-D1’s front landing skid — photo by Joseph May

The ailerons and flaps of this Ohka — photo by Joseph May

Stubby wings meant for high flight speeds or, in the Ohka’s case, terminal velocity — photo by Joseph May

Information for this post came from the museum’s placard and the web page on this aircraft, found here.

神風 Kamikaze Images is an academia quality web site focused on the Kamikaze forces Japan trained and fielded, along with memorials by families and villages as well as museums. It is written by Bill Gordon who continues to research as visit sites in Japan in his continuing efforts.